Public Policy Issues

It is clear that Minnesota is approaching a dramatic demographic shift in the near future, and Minnesota will face a worker and skill shortage. There are many populations that can help to address this shortage such as youth and new immigrants. Minnesota also has a supply of hard-working individuals at its finger tips with the people who are currently employed, but are classified as low-income workers. Some of these people may be new immigrants, youth who did not graduate from high school, people who have struggled to keep up for years, etc. With skills, opportunities, and dreams, this population could help Minnesota fill its gaps and provide the economic base necessary for future economic success.

Through the Families Forward Project, the McKnight Foundation purposely reached out to programs serving low income, incumbent workers because the Foundation did not think this population was receiving the services they needed to advance in the workforce. These projects have been successful thus far as is evident in the research conducted by the Wilder Research Center. However, to continue this type of work in Minnesota, public policy changes must be made at the national and state / regional levels. These changes could be extremely important for ensuring Minnesota has the skilled workforce it needs to remain economically viable in the future.

The GWDC realizes the political environment will guide policymaking and funding initiatives. However, advancing low income workers is unique in that it can appeal to both sides of the political spectrum; it appeals to those who see this work as developing an economic advantage and to those who see it more as a moral obligation to society. For those who see this as an economic advantage, advancing low wage workers means that people who, at one time, did not make enough to adequately support their family are no longer leaching off of public assistance. For those who see advancing low income workers as a moral obligation, people are better able to support their families, move up the career ladder, and be successful. Which ever train of thought one has regarding low income workers, the end outcome is wealth creation and greater sustainability of Minnesota's economic vitality.

To build off of the work the McKnight Foundation began through the Families Forward project and advance low income workers through public policymaking, Minnesota must create an environment in which these ideas can flourish. This environment can be created through the development of strategic leadership priorities, changes to state statutes, and funding / budget provisions for advancing low income workers. Below are examples of issues the McKnight Families Forward grantees faced, what the GWDC and grantees learned from the grantees' experiences, and potential policy changes to ensure Minnesota serves its low-income incumbent workforce in the most efficient and effective manner possible.